Seeing Orochimaru speak such cruel words so casually, Jiraiya fell silent for a moment.
Looking into Orochimaru's fanatical eyes, Jiraiya seemed to come to a realization. Words alone would never persuade him to come back.
In that case, I'll have to fight him!
That was what Jiraiya thought.
He had to bring Orochimaru back, no matter what. It was not only to fulfill his promise to Minato Namikaze, but also for Orochimaru's own sake.
He could not let Orochimaru keep going down this wrong path!
Sensing the change in Jiraiya's aura, Orochimaru grew serious as well.
He habitually flicked out his tongue and licked his lips, then spoke in a calm voice tinged with excitement.
"Jiraiya, it seems we've never truly fought each other.
"Now let me see your true strength."
As he spoke, he hurled a shuriken, then swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...!
In an instant, countless shuriken appeared out of thin air ahead of him and shot toward Jiraiya together.
Seeing this familiar ninjutsu, Jiraiya seemed to recall something. A smile appeared on his face before he darted about, dodging every shuriken.
At the same time, while evading, he threw three shuriken of his own, aimed straight at Orochimaru's throat, heart, and lower abdomen.
At the sight of Jiraiya's attack, Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupiled eyes narrowed slightly.
Then his body twisted into an S-shape as though he had no bones, evading the counterattack with the smallest possible movements.
Seeing Jiraiya closing in, Orochimaru wasted no words. He formed hand seals again, swept his hand out, and unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Sensing a fierce gale rushing toward him, as though countless blades lurked within it, Jiraiya reacted immediately. He used the Substitution Technique, leaving a section of log to shield